Friday 9 November 2007

Why?



I have been tagged by Tracy at Pink Purl to do a meme about why I craft. Having read the very interesting and entertaining answers that both Tracy and Anna have given to this meme. I've been worrying about doing this for a while. It is hard to write about something you love doing without sounding insincere, but in a nutshell, if you can't be bothered to read on, I do what I do because I love it!



1. When did you start to create and make crafts?
I have always been one for making and doing. Because I am an only child I am quite a shy creature and do enjoy my own company. I remember spending lots of time in my bedroom busy presenting Blue Peter showing the world what my latest creation was, always involving lots of egg cartons and sticky back plastic (and I'm pleased to say that I've caught both my daughters over the years doing their TV presenter bits in their bedrooms showing off their latest creations). I would love days at school when we could papier mache balloons, get the glitter out or make those stained glass windows with tissue paper for Christmas. I was (and still am) happiest making things or reading. I remember always asking for paints for presents and asking my mum to show me how to knit and sew. A favourite time of mine was when a very old Aunt would come and visit and she would always bring an old tin of brooches for me to play with, I loved the colours and sparkliness of them.



2. Why did you start creating?
I don't know why I started creating things. It is just something that I always enjoyed doing. It never felt right unless I had a project on the go. I loved giving my creations to my mum, who in best mummy fashion would adore them. I remember when I was younger that my mother always wanted to live in a cottage in the countryside and I bought a tapestry kit and made her a cottage surrounded by trees and flowers. She framed the picture and it hung in our hall for years - when she died it was lovely to get the picture back and it always makes me think of her.
Unfortunately I went to a very academic school and although I was good at Art I was encouraged to drop it in favour of History. At the time it wasn't a big deal but now I wish I'd stuck to my guns. But in a way perhaps what I liked about the creating I did when I was younger, was the fact that it could be done in private and not be judged.



3. Why do you create?
This is a hard one. I create because I need to (gosh that sounds a bit pretentious!). What I mean is that I need to be making something, my head is always full of projects and ideas and I know that I am perhaps just downright miserable and frustrated if I can't give them a go! I love colour and really enjoy using it, similarly, I love seeing shapes and patterns appear in my ragging. When I was a student, wherever I lived, the first thing I would do was buy a pot of paint. I had to add colour to my surroundings and make it my own. So perhaps like for most of us, I extend my love of making things to my surroundings too. I have done pottery and mosaics courses and loved them both and for a while sold my mosaics with a friend - but it is ragging that suits me best. The best form of recycling for me, creating something from nothing, from something that would have been thrown away. Giving things a new lease of life.



4. What do you create?
When I first started to ragrug I tended to make bigger pieces that were for my use. rugs etc. As time has gone on I have made smaller pieces for people to buy. It takes a lot of fabric and time to keep on making those rugs! Tea cosies seem to be a happy medium for me, scaled down rugs with a purpose! I like to have a go at most things and am enjoying playing with my new sewing machine, some days I feel like tackling everything but most days I stick to what I know!



5. Has this changed since you began crafting?
Things do change and evolve and there is a huge difference between what you enjoy making and having around the house and what others might enjoy. I look back and see things I made a few years back and enjoy following the trail back to the present. I can't thank everyone who reads this blog enough for giving me back my confidence and allowing me to indulge in what I love doing. I am constantly amazed at the wealth of talent and support that bloggers show.



6. What are your crafting goals for the future?
I am really enjoying making lots of things for Christmas and putting them in my Etsy shop and would love to be able to carry on with Etsy and I am loving being able to supply shops with my things too. Best of all, wouldn't it be lovely to have the time to make all the things that we would love to have a go at? Similarly wouldn't it be great if they turned out as wonderful as they are in our mind's eye!?



Well, that's it, very personal and sorry to have gone wittering on for so long.
I've always thought of myself as a person who plays it safe and never a rule breaker but this blogging business is bringing out the rebel in me - I think the rules of the meme are that I am meant to tag 5 other bloggers to answer the above questions. Well let's just forget the rules, if you want to join in and tell us why, feel free! Have a great weekend and pop over to read Anna's and Tracy's much more interesting and illuminating answers if you've got the time.
See you next week.

29 comments:

Rubyred said...

It's lovely to find out about why and what other people craft.I love the things you make and you take such beautiful photo's too!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Well I am GLAD you create! I can see what you mean about creating as an only child growing up, and being shy and enjoying your own company... I was an only child for a very long time, in a neighborhood with no other children, and I LOVED "doing art" as a child. Your art is so lovely, and you have such an eye for colors!!!

(PS - Christmas in London 1993 - you mentioned your first daughter was born then. I have a bit of a similar story... Christmas in London 1993: my first child was born Sept 1994! My oldest we call our "London baby"! heehee)

Thimbleanna said...

GREAT meme Kim! I loved reading your answers. And it looks like you've been busy making stuff too! Have we seen the little cottage picture that you made for your mother? I'm thinking yes maybe? You had an extra question -- I didn't have #6 in my meme -- guess someone dropped it somewhere along the way. Also, you forgot that one little detail under why you craft -- to take your mind off of -- well, you know, I just don't want to say it! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Very interesting, I did wonder if you had started off making rugs. Enjoy your weekend.

Tina said...

I love your Christmas balls. So cute! I was tagged by Tracy too and will be doing the meme next week. :)
Take care. x

Anonymous said...

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your answers, Kim, and found them very interesting. I've been enjoying your blog for about 6 months now, and always love your photos and writing. I was inspired to buy Happy Kitty, Pony, Bunny by you and love it! I always enjoy your Brighton references as Brighton is my home town although I've been in Hampshire for 18 years now but still miss Brighton. Have a lovely weekend, love Jackie M.xx

tess said...

loved reading your answers, it's nice to know how people start out, and what motivates them. lovely photos as always too!

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

I love finding out more about the person behind the blog. I enjoyed this...keep on crafting...
Suzie Sews

Anonymous said...

Hi Kim! It's nice to know a little bit more about YOU! Thanks so much for your comments on my blog ... I've really missed catching up with everyone and it's good to finally be back! ~ hugs, Lynda xo

ginny said...

Hi Kim,
I really enjoyed reading about why you love to create. I so agree about creating because you need to.. and also how supportive and talented this blogging community is.
Have a lovely weekend,
ginny
x

Carol said...

I think that I was a little like you as a child, my sister and brother being so much older that me, I felt like an only child.
I love to make things, Blue Peter and Magpie......
I have enjoyed reading your meme.
The rag rugs have facinated me since seeing them being made in a NT Property is Derybshire. The NT volunteers all have to do bit on their sessons and seeing the rug grow is just brilliant. I do like the colours that choose.
Keep on crafting......{"_"}
XX

Berber said...

Nice to read about your crafting... you make beautiful things!

dottycookie said...

I enjoyed your answers and I LOVE your photos!

Janette said...

hi,please keep on with your blog and crafting as I have been following your tales for the last few months now. Went into a shop in Hastings at half term (I was visiting my husbands family as we actually live in Lancashire) and saw some ragged tea cosy's in there. I don't drink tea ever but did buy a gorgous pompom (and a pin cushion curtousy of plump pudding) just wondering if it was one of yours??? As it looks like the one of the ones you talk about hence the reason for buying it.

Anonymous said...

You make gorgeous things and obviously have loads of pleasure from creating them.
Margaret and Noreen at THY

Gill said...

It's really good to find out more about the person behind the blog,thanks for taking the time to do this. It's easy to slip into a comfortable routine and post about things you've made or things you've bought, so it's always refreshing when someone writes from the heart.
I was a creative child too, although I had 2 brothers but they certainly didn't want to do girly stuff with me! I was very shy like you and enjoy my own company to this day.I know what you mean about needing to create, I have to have something on the go always, whatever it may be. It satisfies a need in me, sounds a bit odd I know and non-creative people just wouldn't get it! I think everybody should have a hobby, I know people whose lives seem so empty at times and they do nothing creative at home..how sad.
Lovely post.

Anonymous said...

Loved reading your list, Kim! I'm so glad you did write this for us. And it doesn't sound at all pretensious to say you MUST craft...So many of us feel that way. I know I do, it's in my blood, I just have to make. It's always interesting to hear about how things get started and why we do what we do. Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend to you & yours ((HUGS))

Shropshire Girl said...

It seems quite a few of us had similar childhoods/upbringings. Thank you for taking the time to do this post, it is like getting a 'glimpse' of the person behind the fabby craft and photos!
Sandra.x.

meggie said...

Kim, not boring at all, a lovely insight to why & how you create!
I think I recognised that young girl in her room- it was me too!
I have a brother but he had mates to go off & play with, whereas I was a lone girl in our neighbourhood, & I still do like my own company.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

OOh I'm so nosy, this is just the sort of post I like!!! I love finding out more about my favourite bloggers (and their scrummy cats!) xx

Rowan said...

This was such an interesting post, I was an only child too and I think that it does amke you more creative and able to entertain yourself because you haven't much choice. I used to make doll's house furniture out of match boxes and did French knitting and ordinary knitting and played games of 'pretend' - my crafting hasn't developed in the way yours has though. Your ragging is beautiful as are all the other things you make.

Perfectly Lovely said...

Its really nice to get a really personal story as to why us bloggers do what we do..Thankyou for sharing it with us.

Jennifer x

Louise said...

That was a really lovely read Kim - thanks.

Kristy said...

I love those baubles in the second photo! Thanks for stopping by I don't feel so lonely now. xxx

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

It was so nice to hear why you create! I am an only child as well and have always loved to create things. It is interesting to see the pattern of where your art leads isn't it?

xo Heather

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

Do you know.. you have just put into words exactly how I feel about my craft!
You obviously have a wonderful talent and isn't it important to do what we want in life if it gives pleasure to others at the same time.. life is too short!
I would so love you to teach me your rag rugging!
A really lovely read..inspiring!
I was a Blue Peter presenter too! Sticky back plastic and fairy liquid bottles..
Michelex

tea time and roses said...

First let me say, the photos are just beautiful! I enjoyed this so very much. Your work is so lovely, and now I know why you do what you do so beautifully!

Smiles to you...

Beverly

Reflections from the Stone Nest said...

I loved your comments on why you craft/create. So heartfelt and true... Love your little cottage you made for your Mum.

Thx for stopping by my blog and your kind comments..

Kitty

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Kim,
Thanks for sharing your reasons for crafting. You are a very talented girl and it is a shame that you weren't encouraged to carry on with your creative gift at school - it makes me sad that schools don't value art and craft subjects. (My daughter had to struggle through her A level textiles without a teacher for a year!)

I couldn't resist treating myself to a little something from your etsy shop - I can't wait to received them!
Niki x